Event Highlights for the City of London 1950 - 1959

• Annexed approximately 120 acres in the Hale-Trafalgar district of London Township for a housing development with Central Mortgage and Housing Corporation and the Province of Ontario.
• Addition and equipment to Lady Beck and Ryerson Public Schools.
• Authorized issuance of $1,000,000 debentures for the purchase of the shares of the London Street Railway Company, after approval by vote of the ratepayers.
• Passed a by-law to expropriate a portion of land in London Township, east of Hale Street and south of Dundas Street to be used for Park purposes, to be operated in conjunction with the Kiwanis Club.
• Authorized changing the Ward Boundaries to equalize the population in each of the four wards.
• Kiwanis Bandshell in Victoria Park opened June 26.
• The Stock Coliseum, Western Fair Grounds, was completed in 1950.

1951

• Debentures of $1,095,825 authorized for Fanshawe Dam construction.
• Institute of Public Health Building on South Street donated to City by the University of Western Ontario, and Health Department moved there from City Hall.
• The Emergency Shelters closed April and later deferred action due to large number of evictions pending.
• Convention of Canadian Federation of Mayors and Municipalities held in City.
• City audit taken over by G. A. Touche & Co.
• Visit of Rt. Hon. Sir Denys Lowson, Lord Mayor of London, England, and Lady Lowson to open Western Fair.
• Visit of Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh, October 14.
• Major T. E. A. Hobbins appointed Adult Probation Officer.
• 22,000 telephones in London and vicinity changed to dial system.

1952

• Made application to Ontario Municipal Board for approval of a by-law to annex parts of London Township to the City.
• Alderman A. E. Bettam died in office May.
• A. Bryce Tapp appointed Alderman June 2 to complete balance of Alderman Bettam's term.
• Authorized the printing of the Assessment Roll.
• City Treasurer W. S. J. Saunders retired and Harry Sing appointed Treasurer.
• Authorized debentures $848,594.00 for Home for Aged and work on Home commenced.
• Three Commissioners appointed to operate the London Transportation Commission.
• Observed St. George's School Centenary.
• Authorized payment of past service pensions to civic employees.
• Reconstruction and enlargement of East End Sewage Treatment Plant.

1953

• Sold debentures in the amount of $2,558,843.26 to A. E. Ames & Co. Ltd. and Associates for $2,509,969.35.
• Authorized $58,000 debentures for East End Fire Hall.
• Additions to South Collegiate and Sir Adam Beck Collegiate.
• London West Outdoor Skating Rink and Community Centre authorized and completed.
• Fanshawe Dam opened with park and boating facilities.
• Completed purchase and opened Thames Street parking lot.
• People voted 13,079 to 9,516 for leasing Market Square to private corporation for the construction of a market and parking building.
• First election under two-year term for mayor and aldermen.

1954

• Acquired the Meyer Brenner property on Bathurst Street to extend the works yard.
• Silverwood outdoor skating rink completed.
• Obtained option to purchase on General Steel Wares York St. property for $585,000.00; submitted to the ratepayers and was defeated on a vote of 3,714 (for) to 7,811 (against).
• Commenced work on new South Branch Library at a cost of $77,000.00.
• Extension of the London Y.M.-Y.W.C.A. commenced at a cost of $1,100,000.00 including furnishings and equipment.
• Marian Wing of St. Joseph's Hospital opened, adding 102 beds and south wing, adding 70 beds.
• Addition to H. B. Beal Technical and Commercial High School.
• Erection of a Police Garage Building.
• Construction of a storm sewer in the Trafalgar-Pegler Street area and east of Highbury Ave., south of Burslem Street and north of Brydges Street.
• Oxford St. Bridge and CPR Overpass constructed.
• The Dr. John Dearness Home for Elder Citizens which is situated on a 57 acre tract of land on the northwest corner of Southdale and Wellington Roads was bought from the Federal Government on the condition that it be used for senior citizens only. The initial building was opened June 15 and accommodated approximately 300 people.

1955

• North-South runway extended at London City Airport.
• Authorized $210,000 debentures for the construction of a new central fire hall at York and Waterloo Streets.
• London celebrates Centennial Year with birthday party at Hotel London, January 1, and celebrations June 30 to July 9.
• London and Port Stanley Railway assets vested in City March 31.
• Authorized $145,000 for purchase of first diesel locomotive for London and Port Stanley Railway.
• London South Outdoor Skating Rink authorized and completed.
• E. T. Skelton appointed City Engineer, July 1.
• Opened negotiations with C.N.R. for construction of subway at Adelaide Street.
• Civil Defense Headquarters moves to Bathurst Street.
• First properties acquired for Marshall Street parking lot.
• Council authorized expenditure of $29,420. for Tax Accounting equipment to be installed in 1956.
• Authorized $620,000 debenture issue to extend West End Sewage Treatment Plant. Took preliminary steps to establish two redevelopment areas:
• 1. Dundas Street, Wellington St., C.N.R., Clarence Street.
  2. Ridout Street, Thames River, Wilson Ave., Blackfriars Street.
• Opened negotiations with Ridout Real Estate Ltd., regarding Regent Square Development.
• Thames River clean-up program formulated and improvements begun.
• Established Family Court in City of London.
• Mayor Allan J. Rush resigned March 29 on being appointed Superintendent of the Dearness Home.
• Alderman G. E. Beedle appointed Mayor on April 1 to serve balance of term.
• S. H. Lee appointed Alderman April 4 to complete balance of Alderman Beedle's term.
• Mayor G. E. Beedle resigned August 8 on being appointed Superintendent of Dearness Home, following the death of Allan J. Rush on July 9.
• Alderman R.A. Dennis appointed Mayor on August 8 to serve balance of term.
• W. C. B. Howard appointed Alderman August 10 to complete balance of Alderman Dennis' term.
• Fred Landon Branch of Library, South London, opened on September 8.

1956

• Outdoor Skating Rink at Grosvenor and Elliott Street.
• Construction of the G.A. Wheable Collegiate Vocational Institute.
• Entered into contract with Putherbough Construction Co. Ltd. for the construction of a new Central Fire Hall at the north-east corner of York and Waterloo Street.
• Zoning by-law passed, zoning Chelsea Heights and Vauxhall areas.
• Passed a by-law establishing a County Mutual Aid Fire system on a reciprocal aid basis.
• Entered into a 30-year lease with Covent Garden Building Incorporated with respect to the Covent Garden Market Property. Parking first permitted in the new building on December 7.
• James F. MacLaren Associates engaged to undertake a sewer survey.
• Tax Accounting using mechanical equipment, partially instituted.
• Ross Street extended Adelaide to Taylor Streets and Registered Plan put on land in conjunction with Lankin and Ryerson.

1957

• Entered into an agreement with the London Life Insurance Company to carry the supplementary group annuity plan.
• Entered into an agreement with the County of Middlesex to establish a joint Civil Defense Committee.
• Acquired properties in area bounded by Wellington-Dufferin and Princess for new site for City Hall.
• London & Port Stanley Railway passenger service discontinued February 18.
• Dr. H. J. Lambert appointed Medical Officer of Health November 4.
• C.O. Logan appointed City Treasurer May 1.

1958

• Richard E. Crouch Branch Library opened April, 1958.
• Storybook Gardens in Springbank Park opened in June.
• McClure Subdivision, 160 acres, bounded on the north by Base Line Road, on the south by Commissioners Road, on the west by L. & P.S. Railroad, and on the east by Pond Mills Road, annexed by City, July 1.Covent Garden Market Parking Building addition construction commenced in July.
• Ambulance Service agreement entered into by City with Ballantyne's Ambulance Service, September 2.
• Official Opening by the Honourable H.M. Cass, Minister of Highways, of the west end sewage treatment plant on Wildwood Avenue in the Township of Westminster and the bridges constructed at Wharncliffe Road, Egerton Street (Vauxhall), and Highbury Avenue CPR Overpass, September 9.
• Traffic Study commenced by A. D. Margison & Associates Ltd., of conditions affecting traffic, October 21.
• W. C. Mathers appointed Fire Chief, November 1.
• A. K. Rowntree appointed City Engineer, November 1.
• Victoria House, London's Historical Museum, opened November 7.
• Entered into contract with Ellis-Don Limited regarding the construction of Dearness Home addition, November 10.
• C.O. Logan appointed Finance Commissioner and City Treasurer, December 1.
• Vote taken and passed regarding the extension of the municipal franchise to all persons over the age of 21 years.
• Wharncliffe, Vauxhall Bridges and Highbury CPR Overpass constructed.

1959

• Annexation hearings commenced April 27.
• Formation of Allen Towe Acres Ltd.
• Opening of C. C. Carrothers School.
• Started erection of Wellington Square Inc.
• Royal Visit of H.M. the Queen and H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh, July 3.
• Establishment of two City of London Queen Elizabeth Scholarships valued at $1,000 each.
• Commencement of Chelsea Heights and Glen Cairn Woods rental projects.
• Alderman T. T. Ferris resigned September 8.
• A. Grant appointed Alderman September 11 to complete balance of Alderman Ferris' term.